Combined ADHD and Autism Assessments

What is a Combined ADHD and Autism Assessment?

Many adults go through a large portion of their lives unaware that they are multiply neurodivergent, with both the Autistic and ADHD brain styles (AuDHD). ADHD and Autism commonly present together, and in many cases, can be unnoticed during childhood and adolescence, due to misinformation about how Autistic and ADHD traits present when combined, gender biases in research, and long-term masking behaviours.

Individuals who were not identified as AuDHDer’s in childhood, can be assessed and identified, in adulthood.

A combined Autism and ADHD assessment involves a combination of assessment tools, in addition to a clinical interview, to determine whether an individual has both the Autistic and the ADHD brain style.

Components of an Combined ADHD and Autism Assessment

A full comprehensive Autism and ADHD assessment incorporates the following:

Intake and Clinical Interview with the individual, and if appropriate, their loved ones
Diagnostic Interview for Autism (MIGDAS-2)
Social functioning Assessment (SRS-2)
Adaptive Behaviour Assessment (Vineland III)
Diagnostic Interview (DIVA-5)
Diagnostic Self-Report Assessment (CAARS)
Full Educational Assessment (WAIS IV and WIAT III)

AND

If identified as appropriate or required - an additional assessment / screener tool for other mental health conditions common to AuDHDers.
Comprehensive strengths-focused and tailored report that details the assessment outcome with targeted recommendations.
Feedback session with the individual and, if desired, their loved ones

Measures used in the Combined ADHD and Autism Assessment

Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing Autism Spectrum - Second Edition

The Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing Autism Spectrum - Second Edition - (MIGDAS-2) is a qualitative interview protocol for determining whether an individual’s behavioural profile is consistent with the Autistic Brain Style.

The MIGDAS-2 collects information about an individual’s sensory, communication, social, and emotional profile. It is intended for use with verbally fluent adults.

The MIGDAS-2 takes a strengths-based approach and acknowledges the whole person.

Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults

The DIVA-5 is a structured clinical interview for ADHD in ADULTS aged 17 years and above. ADHD is a lifelong condition that starts in childhood. As such, the DIVA-5 aims to assess ADHD-consistent patterns in adulthood, in addition to using a retrospective interview to ascertain whether these patterns were present during the individual’s developmental period. Where possible, the DIVA-5 is conducted with the individual being assessed, as well as at least one loved one who knew them during their in childhood.

The DIVA-5 usually takes around 1 to 1.5 hours to complete.

The DIVA-5 may be followed up with additional mental health screeners for diagnostic clarity and/or to identify any common, co-occurring conditions.

Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV)

To assess the cognitive ability of adults between the ages of 16 years through to 90 years and 11 months, we use the WAIS-IV (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, 4th edition). The WAIS-IV is an advanced measure of cognitive ability in adults and older adolescents. It measures verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory and processing speed.

It can also be used for a number of other reasons, such as:

Predicting academic achievement
Predicting work performance
Helping to diagnose intellectual disabilities, specific learning disabilities and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Assessing how the brain is functioning after an injury, as differences in verbal and nonverbal intelligence may indicate damage to specific parts of the brain

Wechsler Individual Achievement Test - Third Edition (WIAT-III)

An achievement test assesses strengths and weaknesses in the main areas of school-based learning including reading, writing, mathematics and oral language. If a person’s achievement score is below that predicted based on their cognitive ability score, this is indicative of a potential learning disorder in that area.

To assess the academic skills and problem-solving abilities of children and adults between the ages of 4 years through to 50 years 11 months, we use the WIAT-III (Wechsler Individual Achievement Test, 3rd edition.)

Social Responsiveness Scale – Second Edition

The Social Responsiveness Scale – Second Edition – (SRS-2) is used to measure an individual’s social behaviour, communication, and behavioural patterns in comparison to a non-autistic sample of same-age peers. The SRS-2 rates social behaviours in five key domains to determine whether an individual’s social experiences and behavioural patterns are aligned with the autistic brain style:

Social Awareness
Social Cognition
Social Communication
Social Motivation
Restrictive/Repetitive Behaviours

Vineland III Adaptive Behaviour Scales - Third Edition

The Vineland-3[1] is a standardized measure of adaptive behaviour which provides information about an individual’s adaptive functioning in daily life, when compared to that of their same-age peers.

Areas of functioning that are evaluated include: language (expressive/receptive/written), communication, personal care, domestic, community, daily living, interpersonal relationships, play and leisure, coping skills and socialisation.

Autistic individuals experience varying degrees of social disability. The Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales are used to assess and evaluate where accommodations may be helpful, and to support applications to the NDIS.

[1] Sparrow, S. S., Cicchetti, D. V., & Saulnier, C. A. (2016). Vineland-3: Vineland adaptive behavior scales. PsychCorp.

Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scales

The Conner’s Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS) is a self-report assessment that is used to support the process of diagnosing Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults 18 years and older. It utilises the results of the individual’s current functioning as well as observation reports from parents/caregivers to determine the degree to which the adult is demonstrating difficulties.

The CAARS takes about 10 – 15 minutes to complete.

ADHD Assessment Breakdown

The full comprehensive Autism and ADHD assessment is used to support formal diagnosis of Autism in adults and can be used in combination with a psychiatric consultation to obtain a formal diagnosis of ADHD. This assessment provides an in-depth assessment of how an individual’s brain is functioning, and how they can best support their brain across various contexts of living. It can be used to support an NDIS application for Autistic Adults.

While the full comprehensive Autism and ADHD assessment is available, it may not be necessary for every individual. An initial intake interview will be used to determine which assessment pathway is likely to be most appropriate for you, and for your intended purposes for undergoing the assessment.

Following any assessment, your Psychologist will provide a comprehensive report explaining all the tests that were used, along with the results, and a list of recommendations for home, educational and/or work settings.

A 30 minute to 1 hour feedback session is then held, to explain the results, go through the report and answer any additional questions.

This session can be used for planning further assessment or intervention, if required.

1 hour interview to gather background information, clarify the purpose of assessment, and to determine the most appropriate battery of assessments for the individual.

Vineland Adaptive Behaviour scales completed online by a loved one.

Approx. 2 hours of testing with WAIS-IV and WIAT-lll each (may need to be done over 2 separate occasions)

3 hour diagnostic interview with the MIGDAS-2 (may be done over two separate occasions)

1 – 1.5 hour diagnostic interview with the DIVA-5 (may include a loved one who was present during the individuals childhood)

Detailed assessment report of findings with behavioural and educational recommendations

SRS-2 completed online by the individual and a loved one

10-15 minute self-report assessment with CAARS

Up to 1 hour feedback session

Want to find out more?

To learn more or to enquire about our combined ADHD and Autism assessment, contact us at: info@treatyourselfwell.com.au, or give us a call on (02) 9555 4810.

Services

Assessments

General Areas

Special Interest Areas

Talk to us about

Combined ADHD and Autism Assessments

What is a Combined ADHD and Autism Assessment?

Components of an Combined ADHD and Autism Assessment

Measures used in the Combined ADHD and Autism Assessment

Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing Autism Spectrum - Second Edition

Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults

Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV)

Wechsler Individual Achievement Test - Third Edition (WIAT-III)

Social Responsiveness Scale – Second Edition

Vineland III Adaptive Behaviour Scales - Third Edition

Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scales

ADHD Assessment Breakdown

Treat Yourself Well Sydney
Psychology Practice

Services

Assessments

General Areas

Special Interest Areas

Talk to us about

Combined ADHD and Autism Assessments

What is a Combined ADHD and Autism Assessment?

Components of an Combined ADHD and Autism Assessment

Measures used in the Combined ADHD and Autism Assessment

Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing Autism Spectrum - Second Edition

ADHD Assessment Breakdown

Treat Yourself Well Sydney Psychology Practice

Treat Yourself Well Sydney
Psychology Practice